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Home Rule Vote
LET'S KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE MAYOR!
On Monday, July 18, the Springfield City Council voted in favor of the "home rule petition" to establish the right to mandatory and binding arbitration for school department employees. To their credit -- and as a result of continuing education and lobbying by SEA members and community supporters -- the City Council recognizes that creating this arbitration option could well be the critical component in achieving a just and prospectively constructive contract settlement for Springfield's educators.
They have sent "home rule" legislation to Mayor Ryan, challenging him to do the right thing for Springfield's educators and Springfield's children. Last time, the Mayor refused to send the "home rule petition" to the Legislature, apparently believing that mediation between the SEA and the Finance Control Board should be given more time to achieve a contract settlement.
Well, mediation has not achieved a settlement. Indeed, the FCB continues to pursue its long-clear goal of unilateral implementation of its dangerous and destructive proposals.
Please call/e-mail members of Mayor Ryan.
Ask him to vote in favor of this "home rule petition" and send it on to the state Legislature.